After what seemed like years of waiting (but was actually more like 6-8 weeks) I started to hear back from the institutions to which I had applied. Something that was surprising was the lack of real information that admissions decisions included. I imagined the “fat envelope” that I remember from my undergraduate acceptances, but in reality what I was getting in the mail was usually a single page letter. Sometimes there were a few additional pages of information about how to access the online “accept or decline” form, but rarely more information than that was included. Where was the financial aid package? Where was the information about assistantships and student groups?
I know I’ve mentioned it a few times, but this is where cultivating relationships with staff assistants, office managers, and faculty at your prospective can really pay off. I found these folks incredibly helpful. Each institution is different (so pay particular attention to the materials provided by your prospective schools), but as a rule by including an institution on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) you will be considered for the general federal aid (grants and loans) at that institution. Some programs guarantee an assistantship and full-funding (tuition and stipend) for all students who are admitted, while others provide information about assistantships that are available and students can apply for each one they are interested in, like they would for any other job. Some departments have financial aid that is distributed through a competitive process that includes a separate application and essay, so be on the lookout for the details and deadlines.
When possible, I would suggest getting the full financial package and assistantship details in writing before accepting an offer of admission. As budgets get tighter this may be a discretionary line-item which departments can change from year to year, so if you are being told you’ll be guaranteed funding for 2 years, ask the department to put that in a letter for peace of mind. Once an offer of admission is made, it will be rare (and maybe illegal?) for an institution to rescind that offer because you want some specific details.
Understand that you will want to hear back from all of the institutions you applied to, but that by waiting you may be giving up opportunities at the institutions that let you hear back from the earliest. Most programs will work with you and be patient, but I did have some institutions that put deadlines on assistantships and financial support. You’ve been accepted because the program wants you there, but particularly in popular programs at selective institutions there will be people on a waitlist. Fortunately I had a complete picture from all of my institutions before I had to make a decision, but I could see where there would have been complications if timeline were a bit more different.
There is something to be said for declining offers with grace: do it. Especially with higher education being such a small field and everyone knowing everyone else, it is important not to burn bridges. You may be talking to a future colleague or employer, so make sure to be honest but polite about your enrollment decision. Most institutions will not ask what you are doing instead of enrolling, and you really don’t have to elaborate. Chalk it up to a better fit elsewhere, thanks them for the opportunity, and move on.
You did it! You’ve navigated the system, gotten admitted, and have your finances (essentially) pinned down. Next time I will begin a new series on the type of program I chose: a primarily distance-education Ed.D. cohort, designed for individuals working full-time in higher education.
Placement is Over...Now the Waiting Begins. Woo-hoo.
OPE and TPE are now done. While it’s incredibly nice to be done with placement conferences, I can’t help but feel a bit antsy about what happens next.
Up until now, my job search has been completely under my own control. I decided which schools I would send interest letters to, which interviews I would accept and when to schedule them, what to say in interviews and thank you notes. Everything was up to me. Now that interviews and socials and thank you notes are all said and done, it’s up to the school and the interview team to decide if they want to bring me to the next step.
This scares me. There’s nothing else I can really do outside of preparing for second interviews, or hopefully an on-campus interview. It’s just sitting and waiting. The ball is in their court, and that makes me nervous. I know I should take this time to relax (and do my thesis), but it’s hard not to go over each interaction over and over again in my head to decide what I should have done differently.
The thing I’m needing to work on now is phone interviews. During a couple of interviews the school mentioned doing interviews over the phone before bringing anyone on campus as a way to save money. I hate the phone. I’m not that great on it, because you can never tell how the interviewer is feeling about things. Are they slightly smiling and nodding and seemingly interested in what you’re saying? Are they frowning and shaking their head “no” and glancing at the clock? On the phone you can’t tell if they’ve already written “no way” on your application and picked up the latest People Magazine crossword puzzle.
Some people have heard my horrible phone interview story from last year when I did interviews for my summer practicum. I talk with my hands, and got very excited during one story and accidentally threw the phone across the room, where it hit the floor and hung up. Completely mortified, I called back and profusely apologized. Thankfully the interviewer just laughed and said the next question was about how I deal with unexpected complications on the job. This is still not a situation I’d like to repeat, however.
So now I’m taking some time to travel the Midwest on my Lake Michigan Circle Tour and get my mind off interviews and job placement and things. I’m fairly confident I’ll get a job – I’ve done well in my classes, have a strong resume, and have (what I think is a) fun personality. It’s just this time in between step one and step two that is probably going to drive me crazy.
My 4-year-old son Brendan is obsessed of late with Star Wars. We have a Wii and Lego Star Wars is his favorite game. If you are a parent and have passed through this age, you know that kids can really get obsessive about their favorite things. He loves that silly game, and talks about it all the time. Non-sequiturs abound. We’ll be reading books at bedtime, and he’ll tell me about wanting to be a red-hat guy who goes up the side of a building using the hooks, or how he likes Yoda, but doesn’t like being Yoda in the game, because he’s too slow, unless he’s using the force. He likes light sabers. And I can’t get that damn Mos Eisley Cantina music out of my head, no matter how hard I try.
So lately, I have had science fiction invade my mind, my dreams, and my thoughts. It’s starting to bleed into my workday, and so I thought I’d share some lessons from popular science fiction that you can apply to your job search and your career.
“The answer is out there, Neo. It’s looking for you. And, it will find you. If you want it to.”–Morpheus to Neo in The Matrix.
Morpheus is really outlining Neo’s epic quest with this line, and it may strike some as high-and-mighty to think of their job search in such terms. But is this really a bad thing? You are the hero in your life story, and if you aren’t going to be the champion in your job search, maybe it’s time to look within. Are you looking for answers, or are they right out there, looking for you?
“When you can’t do something smart, do something right.” Jayne Cobb in Serenity.
Jayne is a crusty, cynical and rough guy, driven by base desires…usually money. So it makes sense that he would dwell on the practical and dismiss the need for intellectually driven solutions. Adjusting to the reality that this results-driven approach is favored by many managers can be frustrating to job-seekers coming right out of school, especially when they work in a field like student affairs, a touchy-feel-ey, theory-driven sector of the workforce. We don’t like metrics, and we are often terrible at quantifying our accomplishments and proving our points. And the reality is that many student situations need quick responses that may not be compatible with extended periods of brainstorming, processing and building consensus. Sometimes you just have to do what you have to do. The thinking and processing can come later, and may be seen by some constituent parties (supervisors, parents, and students) as beside the point. So at times, it’s best to dwell on getting things done, rather than obsessing over whether the solution was the best in all worlds, or just the best solution, given the circumstances.
“I find your lack of faith disturbing.” Darth Vader in Star Wars.
Nobody wants to be around someone who is a negative Nelly all the time. It gets old quickly. So believe in yourself, or no one else will. Have faith that there will be positive outcomes for your search and in your long-term career development, and if you don’t feel this way now, try to act like you do until things settle out. If you just can’t find that faith in your abilities, maybe it’s time to get some career coaching or talk to a trusted colleague, mentor, member of the clergy, or professional counselor. Depression and other psychological issues can really set you back in your career, if you don’t take steps to address them.
“The 9000 series is the most reliable computer ever made. No 9000 computer has ever made a mistake or distorted information. We are all, by any practical definition of the words, foolproof and incapable of error.” HAL 9000 in 2001: A Space Odyssey
HAL was a really impressive machine, and capable of many things, but the incapacity to admit errors was, in the end, an error in and of itself. Like HAL, some co-workers, supervisors, or supervisees you come across will insist on their infallibility, and at times, they will lock you and others out. You’ll find it terribly annoying and even possibly dangerous to your well-being.
There are actually a few lessons here. First, be aware of who these people are, and be wary of them.
Second, in your job search, pay attention to signs of inflexibility in your potential co-workers and supervisors. It will help you steer clear of potentially bad situations, or at least go into them knowing some of what to expect.
Third, and this is possibly the most important…don’t be a HAL. Nobody wants to work with a HAL. They can picture being locked out of the pod bay door, screaming. And in space, no one can hear you scream. Show any sign of arrogance or inflexibility in your interviews, and the hiring committee will likely pull your plug.
“Admiral, if we go by the book, like Lieutenant Saavik, hours could seem like days.” Spock, to Kirk in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan.
If institutions are known for anything, it’s love of policies and protocols. My uncle used to work for the government (Department of Energy) and we never really understood what he did, but to sum it up the best I understood it, he made rules about how to make rules.
When you come out of graduate school and into your first job, you’ll likely have a lot of enthusiasm for student development theory and spend a lot of time talking about how we “challenge and support” our students, and you’ll suggest responses to situations that are “developmentally appropriate” and holistic.
Then, soon enough, someone will shut you down with “that’s not how we do it around here” or “this is our protocol, and you need to follow it.”
In the movie, though, Spock’s comment to Kirk was actually his way of telling Kirk that the logical thing to do would be to interpret the rules in their own way, to get things done. This ability will come to you once you understand not just the written policies and protocols, but the institutional culture, and the “code-speak” that goes along with it. Then you will know how to play by the rules, and when to creatively interpret them with an eye toward obeying the spirit, if not the letter, of your institution’s protocols.
“If money is all that you love, then that’s what you’ll receive.” Princess Leia to Han Solo in Star Wars.
Let’s not kid ourselves. We all need money, and most of us love having it. But if that is all you come to work for, then that is all you’ll get. Make sure that you have other reasons to come to work, that light you up. Times are tough and many people are out of work, so it’s understandable if you find yourself in the position of taking a less-than-ideal job, out of the necessity to survive. But don’t stop looking for sources of fulfillment other than money. It’ll empty you out, and leave you spent.
“Ooh. Ah. That’s how it starts. Then comes the running and the screaming.” Dr. Ian Malcolm in The Lost World: Jurassic Park.
On some level, the kid inside you probably thinks that it would be cool to walk around a park full of dinosaurs. We spend time thinking about working for big-name schools, working with people who are recognized authorities, studying with the leading scholars of this-or-that. But this is an awfully rosy view and it will not sustain itself over time. Sooner or later, the dinosaurs get hungry, the experts show their sharp teeth when people disagree with them, and the scholars come at people with their claws out, roaring this or that about their latest research and how it should change how you do something or another. It can be confusing, and kind of scary. So before you go into the dinosaur park, see it for what it is. In the workplace, you need to see things as the really are, not only as you wish them to be. (Or you’ll be somebody’s lunch someday.)
“A man is defined by his actions, not his memories.” Kuato to Quaid, in Total Recall
It’s best to live in the present and work toward the life and career you want, rather than dwell on how things once were. The good old days weren’t all good, but they are definitely old. Try to cultivate a sense of mindfulness, and understand how things are, in the present moment. Then work from there, to connect the dots, and act accordingly. The best way to get to the future you want is to work through the present moment, rather than living in the past.
“Okay, princess. That’s it. The fairy tale is over. Welcome to real life!”–Lone Star in Space Balls
Your life and your career exist here, in reality, and dwelling on the ideal can leave you stuck in a fantasy world. Hard work can make some of your dreams come true, so keep plugging away at the things that matter most to you, cultivate the skills you will need, and stay connected to the people and the opportunities that will get you where you are going.
I’m finally back on my home campus, trying to adjust to life after OPE. The conference itself was only three days, but it felt like a week and a half! The drive back from Oshkosh to West Michigan was quiet. My passenger and I decompressed a bit from the crazy schedule we had just functioned on, and looked back on how our preferences had changed, our prospects had changed, and how important personality really was.
I heard a lot beforehand about how you are interviewing a school just as much as they are interviewing you. I think this was good to know, and possibly not stressed enough. I know lots of people in my cohort are worried about finding a job, any job, but how well you could converse with the interview team during your 30 minutes with them was important. There were some interviews where conversation flowed well, but didn’t necessarily go so well at the social. There were some schools that I hope I redeemed myself with at the social because the conversation was much better.
Socials are very overwhelming. I definitely felt like the introvert in me was just in pain this whole time. Packed into a room of 500+ people, trying to smile and weave through the crowd, trying to catch the eye of that elusive school that you love. I tried to not look like I was on the prowl too much, so if representatives from a school were currently tied up in conversation I’d try to do another loop of the room and come back to them later. I spent a good amount of time at the social talking to candidates I had met throughout the conference in the lounges. Not only could we be a little bit “off our game” with candidates, but we helped each other look busy while waiting and kept an eye out for our chance to hop in to a conversation with a school. It was great having people I barely knew be so supportive and not be offended at all when you suddenly said “I’m going in!”
Overall, I loved my conference experience, and I really hope that the positive energy I felt I had with some schools really continues as everyone heads back to their home campus to talk about phone interviews and on-campus visits. I wasn’t nervous the whole weekend UNTIL the drive back when I started thinking about where things could have gone better, and wondering if I’d hear from some schools. I guess it’s better than the nerves setting in while interviewing, but I’m definitely anxious about this next step and where things are headed!
My next step? Figuring out what my plan for TPE is…
Shannon is rocking her new suit. These are just rocks.
I am writing this while wearing my new suit, and let me just tell you: I am rocking it. And that is an especially good feeling considering the adventure that went into getting it. I am horrible at being a girl. I don’t like dressing up that much and have no idea what colors complement nicely or how to accessorize. So a week ago I went to the mall with my brave face on, ready to wander around in the career section trying to figure out how to buy a suit without the help of my mom.
I think this is a sign that I’m a true Millennial. Even at age 24 I wished my mom was there to be in the store telling me to turn around and making me stand with my arms out and pushing down the tops of my shoes and asked if they pinched my toes. So I found the most mom-like worker I could and asked her for help.
I think I made this woman’s dream come true.
She had a wonderful time dragging me around the store, grabbing ruffled tops and silk shells and all sorts of coats and things that would have taken me six hours to find by myself. She shoved me in a dressing room with two armloads full of hangers and said “Ooohh, I just can’t wait to see them on you!” About ten minutes later she came back with some more pieces, one being a single strap, bright red, sequined monstrosity that I would not wear in a million years.
After two hours spent in the dressing room spinning around for her I finally gave in to four different pieces she had picked out, knowing I would be returning them the next time I had a spare Saturday. I just can’t have someone else tell me to wear this and this and this. I’ve really got to feel comfortable in it.
This past weekend I went back to the mall and returned the crazily expensive items that had been picked out for me last week. $50 for a cream-colored t-shirt? No, thank you. I then spent a good couple hours walking around a completely different store, trying things on together, and dancing in the mirror. I think the true sign that you really feel good about a piece of clothing is if you’re able to dance like a goof in it. Everything I got is pretty basic (no stripes or patterns or oversize ruffles), but I think it all goes together nicely. And I made sure my blacks match, thanks to advice from my grandma.
Now I’m feeling even more confident about doing interviews. Things are really coming together. I guess they have to be – OPE is only four days away!
Work with Sean. I help higher ed professionals take control of their careers with tailored services including resume and CV development, LinkedIn profile optimization and networking strategy, interview coaching, and one-on-one career guidance.
